Scott's Thoughts

January 25th Today I read

2010-01-25T05:36:00.004Z

Today I read in my AW Tozer Devotional...

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life"... proverbs 4:23

Says Tozer...

"Every person is really what he or she secretly admires. If I can learn what you admire, I will know what you are, for people are what they think about when they are free to think about what they will. ..."

He goes on to to exclude those things we are forced to think about like at tax time... and I would include school work and job work to a certain extent...

..."I assure you it is not consentingly done! (referring to tax time thoughts) But if you can find out what I think about whenever I will, you will find the real me. That is true of every one of us."

"Your baptism and your confirmation and your name on the church roll and the big Bible you carry - These are not the things that are important to God. You can train a chimpanzee to carry a Bible. Every one of us is the sum of what we secretly admire, what we think about and what we would like to do most if we became free to do what we wanted to do"....

This brought to mind a quote (which I am not sure whom to attribute it) "I can't change my heart, but I can change my mind. If I change my mind, then God can change my heart" ... I heard it from John Courson.

I cannot help to think about Paul's words in Philippians 2

2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

What if we fell so in love with Jesus... What if we read His Word and got to know His character so well that we desired to do nothing more than be imitators of that character. Would it not permeate our thought life and change the way we treat one another? Less judgmental, more kind, more tolerant of non-essentials and more encouraging to those who are learning.

I think that if we demonstrated this kind of love the church would be edified and strengthened, united, and maybe even respected as a moral compass. Sure the Gospel will be offensive, the cross is offensive, but we should not be... look at our example...

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lord, today, again, I am changing my mind, to look toward you, your character, your example of love and holiness, and asking you to change my heart. Please remind me to do this daily until that day when I am complete in you and will see you face to face and know you as you are.

Help me to demonstrate to others your love, your command for holiness, and compassion toward those who are learning what that is... knowing and understanding that I am so far from it in my flesh and yet ... though I cannot comprehend it... that is how the LORD God sees me because of the finished work on Calvary... Thank you Jesus...

That's what I read today... How about you?

2009-12-07T21:33:00.005Z

Wow it has been six months since I published a blog. And what a strange six months it has been.I was looking over my last blog which stated that I was filling in for a pastor in Danderhall (Calvary Chapel Edinburgh) Now I am living in Edinburgh and Patti and I are helping out at the church.

I now have a Job at Faith Mission Bible College as the property manager, which supplies our housing and utilities and most meals.

Patti and I get to work and pray with with the students who are from a number of countries and church backgrounds. They challenge us and prayerfully we challenge them in looking at our walks and encouraging one another to abide in Christ.

I still don't believe anyone reads these things but I will get back to witting because it is good for me to do so....

Patti and I are getting ready to head to California to visit our Church family and our kids and grand kids over the holidays.

We are also going to go the the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference after the first of the year.

What a blessing to see all those folks.

Anyway that's me for now... I will be back to write again soon... Blessings

Sundays in Danderhall

2009-05-13T08:22:00.004+01:00

I am Filling in for a fellow missionary pastor in Danderhall which is a little borough in Edinburgh.

I will be teaching for 5 weeks.

Patti will be leading worship.

Last Sunday went really well I think. The fellowship is a small group of mature believers.

It was a real joy to hear them sing out in worship... especially the hymns.

My goal is to teach through the letter to the Colossians... but then...

You know what it means when a pastor says "We will be going through chapter 1 tonight"... absolutely nothing.

I taught through the first 14 verses.

You know there is enough to teach in those 14 verses to take up the entire 5 weeks with no problem. anyway... it was a real blessing... especially as I looked at the prayer Paul prays for the church in Colossi.

Paul Prayed that this group of believers would have, NO... Be Filled, with a deep knowledge of the will of God.

I have been praying this for a number of the folk that are on my personal list. I have been praying that they would have a deep agonizing hunger to know God and His character.

I believe that the better we understand the character of our Loving, Merciful, Gracious, Righteous Heavenly Father, the more we will understand how to do that which would bring Him pleasure.

The scriptures plainly tell us that His will for us is to be thankful, don't do what is evil, and to do what's right... But I want to know Him, and I want others to know Him, in such a way that when I have a decision to make or see an opportunity to pursue I don't have to stop and think...

"Would Dad like this?"

I would rather it be like when I see something in a store and I say "Wow that is Patti... She would so love that"

Do you catch my drift?

I know what she likes... I have know her intimately for 33 years. There are some things I just don't have to ask about...

Oh to know My Lord that way in all things... "Filled" as Paul put it... in all spiritual wisdom and spiritual understanding... the ability to gather the information from God's Word and assimilate it, flesh it out, make it practical, and then apply it and walk in it.... Hmmm!

So... If you are being tried in patience (perseverance in circumstances), long suffering (dealing with difficult people), sorry it may because I am praying that you have the power to do so and do it with joy because your eyes are on the prize... knowing full well that He gives you the grace and the power to see it through... that is enough to bring you joy... but oh what a prize He has in store for you....

Blessings

Sierra Mountain Coffee Roasters

2009-04-07T07:37:00.006+01:00

A month or so ago I wrote on my Facebook profile. I was whining because I had just finished off the last of my Starbucks Coffee. Though one would think that this should not be such a big deal it is when you are on a very tight budget and the alternatives are not very pleasing. To be honest I have not found a coffee here that is worth brewing... I'm not saying it's not here... I just have not had it yet.

Well my good friend from Grass Valley, CA Jeff Alaways wrote on my Facebook and said he would bring me some coffee when we meet in Ireland to work at Dublin Christian Mission together. This was pretty exciting. I was expecting a 5lb bag of Starbucks from Costco or something. What a blessing that would be. Now I had yet another reason to get excited about the trip to Ireland... a real selfish one.

When I arrived in Ireland and met up with the guys from Grass Valley Jeff told me "I brought the coffee... 10lbs of Dark Mexican Roast from Sierra Coffee Roasters..."

I'm thinking 'Oh great some cheapo off brand junk that I will have to put up with for 6 months'...

" Thanks Jeff... Wow that's great... Who is Sierra Mountain Coffee Roasters?" Well as it turns out they are a Grass Valley Coffee Roaster. Our fellowship in Grass Valley has switched to their coffee for use in the coffee shop.

I was still sceptical but said brew some up...

No coffee pot... No Way!

Wednesday we got a coffee maker and I had a cup... it was smooth and dark and full flavoured. Dude this was nice coffee. So I drank three cups Wed evening and didn't sleep all night.

So I have 9lbs of pure delight to last me a while. Hopefully until we go on furlow so I can get some more to bring back. I have added a link to Sierra Mountain Coffee Roasters for you all to check them out. order a bag you'll love it.

Oh by the way if you are looking for the spiritual punchline.... Sorry.... this was just a shameless plug for great Coffee.

http://www.sierramtncoffee.com

A Word Fitly Spoken...

2009-03-27T11:39:00.012Z

She was the quiet one. Maybe a bit shy, but she was the quiet one.

I say "maybe" because she did sit in or near the front row... so shyness may not have been the issue. She always had a brightness in her gaze... like she was smiling with her eyes.

She is the second child of three; an elder sister and an younger brother. Her sister was the confident one, and her brother more the clown... neither one a nuisance for they were all wonderfully behaved.

She was in my third/fourth grade class. She was always willing to read Scripture.

I would put scripture addresses on the board for the children to sign up for reading assignments and she was always there to sign up. She had good answers to my my questions. (simply Jesus or God rarely sufficed for any of my questioning).

I say all of this because there are those students one has that are near and dear to our hearts. I know that a number of you that communicate with us fall into that category.

I had not heard from this student for some time since our paths have gone different ways.

Well I got a friendship request on Facebook and I was thrill to take her on as my friend.

I had a job interview yesterday....

Earlier in the week, Tuesday or Wednesday, while I was reading the job description, reviewing my CV (resume'), looking over the organisations website, and anticipating the interviewers questions... I had a chat window pop up on my Facebook page.

It was she. So I chatted and caught up a bit... found out she is driving... (Now I know that I am old) and very involved in her church fellowship and walking with the Lord.

I told her of my job interview and the response was short and simple

"Joshua 1:9" was all she typed...

I'll print it out for you so you don't have to look it up.....

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Now I would be remiss if I did not say that I have received encouragement from quite a number of you and it has been very encouraging.

I know that a number of people prayed for me yesterday and I felt the prayers...

But I must confess that while I sat in my car praying and waiting for my time to go in for interview... all I could see was that shining face and the verse she passed on to me. So I read the chapter... and prayed and walked in to the interview confident... Not in my abilities, but that the Lord has the right man for this job.

The Interviewers are all believers, so it was a relaxed atmosphere and I did not fear their faces.

Now I take no credit for this young lady's upbringing in the Word. Her parents have been wonderful teachers of the Word and models of Christian servanthood... but still... What a JOY to be encouraged by one you have poured yourself into.

My teeth are exploding to say and my fingers itching to to type out the young lady's name... but I'm not sure she would be thrilled with that... after all... she was the quiet one...

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

Sat Nav

2009-03-14T08:08:00.009Z

So I purchased a Sat Nav (Satellite Navigation Device). Everyone says you have to own one here.

I figured I could do without one... Until I started driving any distance. This is a country that is like my hometown of Riverside. There is no planning of infrastructure. You just pave all of the cart tracks and call it good.

So I bought a Sat Nav. At first it was exciting. A soft Irish voice telling me to "enter the roundabout third exit, then enter the roundabout". Once I got the hang of it, it made navigating the motorways, carriageways, and city streets a breeze. It even tells me the speed limit of the road I am driving on, my present speed, and dings at me if I am over the the speed limit.

This really is great because it is not like the wide roads of California; you have to be so aware of everything around you. The roads are narrow and people park everywhere which means you are driving on the wrong side of the road half the time; weaving in and out of your lane allowing oncoming traffic passed you, etc. So you pay attention to the road and traffic conditions; and the Sat Nav tells you where to turn... Pretty cool huh?

Well the novelty wears off. You can get tired of the voice, irritated with the dinging, and when you are in familiar territory; you find your self mimicking in a sardonic tone the instructions even before they come. Not only that but you come to realize that that you rely on the Sat Nav and feel that you may not be able to get to any location you have been to without it. I don't know about you but that gets to me because I want to know how to get places on my own.

And not only that but you have to take the time to set up your Sat Nav every time you go. you have to snap it into its holder, plug in the antennae, turn it on, program where you are going. (This means you have to know the address or post code).

Sometimes I just leave my Sat Nav in the glove box.

I was reading in my devotional bible reading this morning Deuteronomy 6:1-9:27. Moses is preparing the Israelites for entry into the promised land. He is telling them what to expect ahead. That the Lord will go before them, that God will give them victory over the inhabitants. That He will fight their battles. He also Made it very clear to them that the Lord was removing these other peoples not because the Israelites were better, or larger, or more righteous, but because of the hatred they had towards Him and their love for idols made with their own hands.

Moses tells them in Deut 7:6-8

6 "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth.
7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set His love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,
8 but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping His oath that He swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."

Moses also goes on to remind them of their folly, why they had to run laps around the wilderness, the sins of their fathers, and the law of the LORD. He spoke these things as a reminder and instructed them to tell their children and to have the Word of the LORD upon their person, on their hands and forehead. The reason was so that they would not forget The Lord their God when he, Moses, was not with them.

I am sure that they must have gotten tired of hearing the law over and over. As a matter of fact we find that after they find themselves in the promised land, God miraculously conquers their enemies, and they get to settle in their land, that they stop telling their children... and two generations later their is a whole generation that did not know all that the LORD had done for them.

AND SO IT GOES FOR ME... There are times when I figure that I don't have to read the Word. I know where I'm going. I know what it says, or would say to me... I get tired of being reminded that I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God... I get annoyed with the number of verses I have to read today, I get anxious to get on with the other things of my day, I don't want to take the time to sit quietly before the LORD, Pray, Read, Wait.

Sometimes I leave my Bible on the table.

When I leave my Sat Nav in the glove box I notice that I go over the speed limit more often, I am less confident where I am and where to turn. I find that I am paying less attention to everything else on the road, side streets, pedestrians, and other potential hazards, because I am looking for all of the signs and road markers (which are small, hidden or non-existent here).

When I leave my Bible on the table... I am relying on my own strength to get me through the day. I rely on my own wisdom, I have less confidence in who I am. I trudge on blindly through the day and don't notice the things the Lord wants me to notice... The lost person to pray for, a chance to bless someone by helping them with a door or trolley, opportunities placed before me to be His hands and feet. I am self absorbed and even irritated by those same folks and situations.

I don't know about you... but I do better with my Sat Navs on...

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Through your precepts i get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:103-105

How Could I Not

2009-03-12T07:47:00.003Z

This was sent to me by a dear friend... how could I not put this on the blog?

I am not sure of it's origin... and I hope whoever MOMMY is she is OK with me posting it.

it was a blessing to me, I'm sure it is a blessing to the Lord, hope it is a blessing to You.

"O Lord God, Thou Knowest"

2009-03-05T07:55:00.006Z

This morning as I read through my devotion it hit me that this was the response I needed in response to this passed weeks events....

This week has been a week of prayer requests for things that make us as mortal human beings ask... Lord why are you allowing these things to happen? Do you care? What is your plan in all this? and maybe even... Are you able to change these things?

A dear friend is preparing to to go home to be with the Lord after years of battling cancer. She has been

an inspiration to many... my wife's question was "Why do the good ones have to go?"

Another dear one whose eldest son is battling a blood disorder. 19 years old and he has "No Life" he cannot run around with his pals, he is struggling with his job because of bleeding... He's frustrated to the max.

A missionary couple who have an outreach ministering and caring for children, have adopted children in Mexico and come to find out their lawyer handled their adoption illegally. They have taken the children and they have to deal with the legal battles there in Mexico.

A Thirty something young mother with inoperable brain cancer. She doesn't know the Lord... yet...

I could go on and on with the fires in Australia, the economic situation here in Scotland, the US and around the world... you get the picture... We have these events we cannot explain. We question why... We question How... We are asked the question can these situations turn around?

But it's not just these questions... what about those Dry bones in Ezekiel? What about that big fish? What about the miracles and happenings that God says will happen? Do you think they can, have, and will take place? How big is our concept of God? What limits have we put on Him?

If our concept of God is locked within the confines of human understanding then we have a severely limited concept of our Lord, Savior and Creator.

an excerpt from my Tozer Devo... "Coleridge gave it as his considered belief that the profoundest sentence ever uttered by human lips was the spontaneous cry of the prophet Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones when asked by the Lord whether those dry bone could live: " And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest." Had Ezekiel answered yes or no he would have closed off his heart to the mighty mystery which confronted him and would have missed the luxury of wonder in the presence of the Majesty on high. For never forget that it is a privilege to wonder. to stand in delighted silence before the Supreme Mystery and Whisper "O Lord God, Thou knowest."

I know it is difficult when you have the personal urgent right in your face. He knows that as well that is why He tells us in 1 Peter to cast all of our anxieties upon Him for He cares for us... but there is a verse prior to that....

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV)

Lord Jesus as we gaze into your face, as we consider your awesomeness, as we consider your beauty and your majesty... we are humbled. Lord You are sovereign and You know all things.

Help us... help me, to more fully delight in Your mystery and and not box you into my image and put my restraints on the wonder of who you are and what you are capable of.... and I will cry out with Ezekiel "O Lord God, thou knowest."

Blessings.....

Floundering?

2009-02-25T13:51:00.006Z

Lonely, cold, dark, damp and boy does it reek!

Back-sliden and lost, depressed, anti-social, bitter in thought and speech. Lethargic and we just want to sleep.

This is the slow dark cold spiral that

leads to death that the enemy of our soul desires for us. first and foremost it renders us ineffective for the Kingdom. We don't want to be around anyone and if we are our witness is lousy.

Jonah learned this lesson when he chose to ignore the calling of God, leave his post as a prophet and run away so that he did not have to confront those God wanted him to prophesy to.

Jonah, like us all, had a wrong perspective of God and wrong perspective of the lost. He did not see God's compassion for the lost and all he could see and hope for was God's judgement rather than His mercy and grace. He also seemed to have a wrong perspective about his own witness. He thought he could turn it off and on... but alas our witness is out there be it good or bad isn't it?

It was a downward spiral for Jonah. Note that he went down to Joppa, down into the lower pars of the ship, down into the belly of the great fish. He purposed to get away from God. (as if that were possible) He lost communion with God and unable to hear His voice. Isn't that the way... It is not a matter of where did God go?... when it is us who moved away.

God had to speak to Jonah through the storm and the heathen because Jonah had lost his power in prayer,even his desire to pray. He had lost all spiritual energy... all he wanted to do is sleep; and was able to do so even with all of the chaos of the storm and the crew around him.

Depression does that doesn't it?

God uses the heathen crew members to bring Jonah out of his funk. They put Jonah in the position of having to review his circumstance... after all it stemmed from disobedience and sin didn't it... and we don't sin in a vacuum... it always affects others.

He has to admit who he is, What his occupation is (was), Why he was where he was and where he was supposed to be... and why God was thrashing the boat about. His witness was shot and he was responsible for the crew's peril. Jonah told them to throw him overboard and even that took some convincing... actually we notice the unbelievers praying and offering sacrifice to God and the servant of God... not.

Once in the water Jonah still is not crying out to the Lord. So God sends Moby Dick or whomever to swallow up our hero. Jonah I'm sure thought this was the end for him yet it still took three days for him to come around to cry out to God.

We get so wrapped up in our stuff sometimes. God is trying to get our attention...but NO!

Jonah 2 (NKJV)

1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.

2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.

3 For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.

4 Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’

5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head.

6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God.

7 “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple.

8 “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.

9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.”

10 So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

It is necessary to have right conception and perception of God. That and the fact that I have to get over myself... I can't speak for you but usually when I am in a spiritual funk it is because my pride is stinking up the joint. Sure others get involved... they hurt me, or cheat me, or whatever but ultimately it gets down to selfish pride and where I am with Jesus.

So I'm sick of being whale puke and and my walk stinking of old anchovies... how 'bout you... maybe that's why my hairs turning white.... Lord I come to you crucifying the old man again. reckoning this old man dead... again.

Psalm 95 (NKJV)

1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

3 For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.

4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.

5 The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:

8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work.

10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.’

11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

This Morning I Read

2009-02-21T09:25:00.015Z

This morning I read.......

I don't usually open e-mails or Facebook or anything like that until after I spend time with the Lord, read my devotionals, Daily readings etc

This morning I was bad... or was I?

This morning I read a response from someone I tagged in one of those obnoxious lists.

She seemed very blessed by my comment about her.

That was cool but all I could think about was that she is a single mom who has raised three boys (young men). I can see that this has been a real struggle for her... and and yet she is seemingly doing well in her walk with the Lord.

She is not alone, there are so many women in her shoes, who for whatever reason have had to do the job of mother and father. We have a dear single mom here in our fellowship and I want to take care of all of her burdens, but I can't. While on her sight I read another note (from a friend)on her page that crushed me...

When can you determine enough is enough? Is it not enough to hear that beautiful beat inside of you become nothing?

Is it not enough to finally grasp the idea of creation and learn to embrace it then it all be stripped away from you in mere seconds?

Is it not enough to have that reality of creation being taken from you completely and for your heart and soul to lose its meaning, while you simply take a drugged nap?

Is it not enough to watch your strength slowly grow weak and depend on you?

Is it not enough not to be able to do anything for your, now weak, strength?

Is it not enough to watch the lid of the box of death slowly close over your life’s beauty?

Is it not enough to not be able to let reality set about the absence?

Is it not enough to get that phone call where you are belittled to nothing?

Is it not enough for the haunt of those words to not only follow you your whole life but to be accused of the same terrible things?

Is it not enough to be swept under a rug and easily forgotten by an idol and sibling?

Is it not enough for the realization to sink in that that same accusation will forever be involved in your life somehow and in some form?

Is it not enough to be told that you will never have a time when you will just be normal?

Is it not enough to just want to be normal?

Is it not enough to wake up everyday and wonder if you’re going to hurt today or if everything will be okay?

Is it not enough to wonder if you will ever bear that gift of life and fulfillment again?

Is it not enough to be betrayed by a friend, sister, aunt with such harsh cruel words of evil?

Is it not enough to just want to scream at the top of your lungs the anger that is inside of you towards the world?

When IS it enough? When will you BE okay? When will you get a BREAK?

When will you just be able to be. (name withheld obviously)

I wanted to fix it.

I wanted to wipe away the pain.

I wanted let her know that there is someone who knows the depth of her sorrow.

That He knows...

He knows how much is enough.

He sent His only Son only to watch as those He loves mocked, jeered, spit upon, beat, shouted Hosanna and Crucify Him in nearly the same breath, that whipped and tore His flesh, and hated Him.

He knows how much is enough.

Everything!

Everything was what it took.

Taking upon the sin of the whole world. Bearing the burden, the penalty of sin for all of mankind. The suffering that takes place because of sin entering the world, sickness, disease, death.

Is it my place to fix anything?

This morning I read in my Chronological Bible, in Leviticus, about the Cleansing after childbirth,contagious skin diseases, boils and burns, contaminated clothing, and the cleansing, ceremony, and sacrifice necessary to be ceremonially clean... I thought about how sick this world is; about the body of Christ how anemic we have become. How cheap we have made the Grace of God by sinning over and over and not truly agonizing over what it cost God to free us from the bondage of this sin. We wipe clean the blood on our hands with His Grace as if it were a "Moisty Towelette" like you get at the rib joint and toss away when clean.

This morning I read in my Tozer reading

"... If only we would stop lamenting and look up. God is here. Christ is risen. The Spirit has been poured out from on high. All this we know as theological truth. It remains for us to turn it into Joyous Spiritual Experience (emphasis by me) And how is this accomplished? there is no new technique; if it is new it is false. The old, old method still works. Conscience fellowship with Christ is by faith, love and obedience. And the humblest believer need not be without these."

" He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." john 14:21

This morning I read Psalm 20 in preparation for tomorrow... Psalm 20 (NKJV) 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.

This morning I read that God is sovereign, He is on the throne, He is in control, and though there is trouble, and heartache, and pain... we have a Hope, we have a finish to this race and it is Glorious. We have a Daddy who loves and desires to comfort us through our hurts rather than remove us from them...

Some times He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
(Scott Krippayne)

What did you read today?

Face Down

2009-02-11T09:43:00.003Z

I had to post this mornings Devo...

from "Tozer on the Almighty God"

"And Abraham fell on his face and God talked with him..." Gen 17:3...

Think about the reality of Abraham's experience. Abraham was consciously aware of God. His presence and His revelation. He was aware that the living God had stepped over the threshold into personal encounter with a man who found the desire within himself to know God, to believe God and to live for God.

See the effect of this encounter on Abraham. He was prepared to pay any price for the privilege of knowing God. For certain he recognized the lofty, holy character of the Creator and Revealer God.

The Scriptures declare, "Abraham fell on his face" as the Lord talked with him (Genesis 17:3). Abraham was reverent and submissive. Probably there is no better picture anywhere in the Bible of the right place for mankind and the right place for God. God was on His throne speaking and Abraham was on his face listening!

Where God and man are in a relationship, this must be the ideal. God must be the communicator, and man must be in the listening, obeying attitude. If men and women are not willing to assume this listening attitude, there will be no meeting with God in living, personal experience.

Oh Lord, give me an attitude like Abraham's that I might have a listening, personal experience of You. Amen

Too often I find myself in the position of the speaker... Offering my quick thought on what God should be working on today... how arrogant!

Lord teach me to fall face down and see you as you really are. Thank you for not dismissing me because of my arrogant, selfish ways...

-and Peter- Mark16:7

2009-02-09T11:18:00.019Z

Have you ever felt like.... -and Peter-?

This is, of course, an excerpt from Mark 16:7 where the angel is explaining to the Marys that Jesus is no longer dead but has risen...

Now some have said that he is singled out because he is the leader of the disciples... I don't think so.

Could it have been because the women would have excluded Peter from the group because of his denial of Jesus as He had prophesied?

Could it be because Peter would have excluded himself because of the shame of denying Jesus?

I, like most, go along with this theory; he was in need of restoration.

I would add that it was also put there for me...

For those times when I feel like I have blown it and there is no way God could ever use me.

I don't even have to have done anything specific.

Sometimes I feel like a giant dust bunny under the couch... no use, no purpose, no value... no one really knows or cares what you are... just wishing the Hoover would suck you up so you would just go away.

(sorry that's how this mind works)

Peter needed to know that Jesus wanted him there.

I need to know Jesus wants me there in that place where He meets up with His disciples.

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 (NKJV)

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

I need to know that God delights in me.

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.

20 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.

2 Samuel 22:2,3,20 (NKJV)

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!... 1 John 3:1 a(NKJV)

So "-and (your name)-", If no one has told you lately... Jesus loves you, God delights in you and desires to meet you in that secret safe place and have fellowship with you... Open your mind, heart, and Bible and Fellowship with the Creator of the universe... your Daddy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

real bunnies in the park, in the snow, after midnight, no flash

not great... but a fun shot

Truth...What is Truth?

2009-02-06T07:16:00.006Z

We, our Thursday night Bible Study, Just began the Truth Project last night. Patti and I have gone through this project at our home church in Grass Valley. It really is a well put together presentation. It is very biblically based... That is it's whole point... It is very thought provoking... It can keep you up at night...

"That's really the question now, isn't it?" was a comment from one of the men in our study. He has been a Christian for many years, in his 60s, and he stated that this program put things together in a way he had never heard before.

Scripture upon scripture conveying that TRUTH is vitally important... that it is directly important to Salvation... That the Word of God is Truth, That we are to Worship in Spirit and Truth, That Jesus is The Way and the TRUTH... , God is TRUTH. God, His Word, Jesus, these are the standards that we compare everything to to determine their validity.

Yet don't we find ourselves like the father of the demon-possessed man who when Jesus told him in Mark 9:23 "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes". To which he replied, and I must also reply, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!"

If I truly believed what I propose to believe, I would make a huge impact upon everyone I come in contact with. Now I'm not all depressed and thinking that I have been rendered useless because I now know that I do not believe as I aught... but it does give me pause and make me realise that this is to be one of the focuses in my time of prayer with The Lord. Knowing that Prayer changes me I can ask "Lord help my unbelief... cause me to know that I know and act upon what I know to be true."

Maybe this is just me... But then... if every other Christian out there Truly Believes what he believes is really real... then this world would be a very different place... we would turn this world upside down like the Apostles of old.

below is the trailer for The Truth Project... Blessings

Monteiths in Scotland

2009-02-03T08:19:00.008Z

What a blessing it was to have the Monteiths come and visit with us last week!!!

Last Wednesday and Thursday Patti and I had the privilege of spending some time with Pastor Louie, Cheryl, Lindsay, and Kelsey Monteith. The are all involved with GO! Ministries, our sending organisation.

Lindsay was off to Bible College in York so the whole family came to get her settled.

They took advantage of the time to visit a couple of Go! Missionary families... Patti & I, as well as Scott & Danielle Key in Shotts, Scotland.

Patti and I traveled with them to Shotts to see the Keys. We got to sit in on their Bible study and meet the awesome folks they are ministering to and with.

Its so encouraging to see these young Brothers and Sisters on fire for the Lord and wanting to reach their communities for Jesus....

We spent part of the day in Stirling visiting the castle and taking in the beauty and history of the area. I still get overwhelmed by the vast history here. Besides... What little boy didn't imagine himself as a knight in shining armor fighting dragons and the dreaded Black Knight... but I digress...

It was a great source of encouragement to spend the time with Pastor Louie and Cheryl. There was no real agenda, but just time praying together and sharing what the Lord was doing here and hearing what the Lord was doing with missionaries elsewhere was just what we needed. We also got to know them better and really feel that they are persons we can turn to if the need arises.

Kelsey and Lindsay working their compassion skills on the locals...

it looks like flirting to me....

The Monteiths had the opportunity to meet a number of people from our local congregation, and worship the Lord together with us Thursday evening. Isn't fantastic how we can come together and worship and pray like we are family and yet have never met before... God is so awesome.

Note to self: Save the list of GO! Missionaries to desktop and pray for at least one each day... Get e-mail addresses and send letters of encouragement at least once a week.

God is right, Tozer, wonderings on sovereinty

2009-02-02T10:54:00.004Z

17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. Revelation 1:17-18 (NKJV)

Tozer writes:

"Along with John, every redeemed human being needs the humility of spirit that can only be brought about by the manifest presence of God.

This mysterious yet gracious Presence is the air of life eternal. It is the music of existence, the poetry of Christian life. It is the beauty and wonder of being one of Christs own - a sinner born again, regenerated, created anew to bring glory to God. To know this Presence is the most desirable state imaginable for anyone. To live surrounded by this sense of God is not only beautiful and desirable, but is imperative!

Know that our living Lord is unspeakably pure. He is sinless, spotless, immaculate, stainless. In His person is an absolute fullness of purity that our words can never express. This fact alone changes our entire human and moral situation and outlook. We can always be sure of the most important of all positives: God is God and God is right. He is in control. Because He is God, He will never change!

I repeat: God is right - Always. That statement is the basis of all we are thinking about God."

Lord, I bow at your feet and acknowledge Your sovereignty. I know you will do what is best for me because You are always right. Amen.

I include an excerpt form my daily devotional today because it caused me to consider the sovereignty of God... not question it mind you... just ponder it...

I got good news last night as I spoke with Jon, Dana, Rylee and Hannah. The hematoma that was a concern to Dana and the baby she is carrying is gone. What a blessing and answer to prayer that is. We praise you Father for your Grace and provision.

We have also been praying for others with life threatening illnesses that are getting better, and others are not. So while I am rejoicing over prayers answered in the positive, or according to my liking and approval, I must also mourn with those who have answers less to their liking. I think of one close to me whose daughter just recently had a miscarriage.

Could God have changed the outcome...? of course... but He did not... and though we mourn with Erica and Sean for the loss... we recognise that our Lord is sovereign and knows, allows, and does what is right. Why is it contrary to what we think is right? We may or may not ever know. but what we must remember is that He is right.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Lord though I dont understand your wisdom and righteousness I recognise that you are sovereign, you are just, you are merciful, and gracious. Thank you for loving so much that you would take an active part in our lives. and that you have a plan for each of us. amd you are working out that plan through us.

My original thought...

2009-01-31T09:30:00.000Z

Though I have read a number of Blogs... I never thought I would write one...

It feels foolish to write my thoughts in a place where no one will see it yet I still have to be aware that whatever I write has the potential of being read by anyone....

So I write that others will know that I am still breathing... a literary mirror held to the nose of a man who often wonders why God allows him to draw his next.

But that is grace isn't it?

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven. Whose sin is covered. Blessed is th man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. ...... I acknowledge my sin to You and my inquity I have not hidden. I said "I will confess my transgessions to the Lord" and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." Psalm 321,2,5

So here I am in Dunfermline Scotland, sitting in my office.

Henceforth I shall refer to it as the "Dungeon". I hope that doesn't throw anyone off but... well it's a storage closet in the basement. I have a 12"X12" window, which I cannot see from here, exposed pipes and wiring, etc. ... I am not complaining however don't get me wrong... It's quiet and warm, just the tick-tock of the clock, an occassional tick from the electric meter, and any music I choose to have on... Philippians 4:11 "not that I speak in regard to need for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Paul "learned" I am learning...

So I will try my best to come back here and write and let anyone who passes this way know what the Lord is doing in my life and those I come in contact with. If nothing else it will become a place for me to look back and see what the Lord has done..........Blessings

http://www.highlandpraise.org